Six key safety facilities for hazardous chemicals storage warehouses

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The items stored in hazardous chemical warehouses are generally toxic, harmful, flammable, and explosive; improper storage can lead to safety accidents. Hazardous chemical warehouses should be equipped with facilities and equipment for lightning protection, anti-static measures, water resistance, explosion prevention, ventilation, monitoring, and alarm systems, depending on the properties of the hazardous chemicals stored there. Xiao An has identified six key safety facilities for such warehouses: explosion prevention systems, lightning and anti-static protection systems, ventilation systems, spill control systems, monitoring and alarm systems, and fire suppression systems. Images Images I. Explosion-proof facilities In warehouses storing flammable and explosive hazardous chemicals, electrical equipment, power transmission and distribution lines, as well as handling machinery and tools must be of an explosion-proof type that meets the required standards. When using metal tubes for wiring electrical circuits, the threaded connections between the metal tubes and junction boxes must be secure. In areas where it is difficult to bend the wires, explosion-proof flexible hoses can be used for connection. Image Image II. Lightning and static electricity protection facilities: At the outside of the entrance to warehouses storing flammable and explosive hazardous chemicals, grounding static electricity discharge devices for humans should be installed. Warehouse exhaust fans, metal shelves, etc. should be equipped with grounding devices to dissipate static electricity. Hazardous chemical warehouses should be equipped with lightning protection facilities, which should be inspected at least once a year to ensure their safety and effectiveness ； Lightning protection devices mainly include lightning rods, lightning strips, lightning nets, and lightning conductors. August 11-13*Hangzhou* 2023 Symposium on Bio-based Materials and Chemicals Technologies Photos Photos III. Ventilation Facilities Warehouses storing flammable liquids and gases should be equipped with emergency forced ventilation systems, as well as explosion-proof exhaust fans. The ventilation ducts must be made of metal and should lead directly to a safe location outside. Images Images IV. Spill Control Facilities Warehouses storing liquids of categories A, B, and C should be equipped with facilities to prevent the spread of liquids, and measures should be taken to avoid water exposure when storing items that are flammable or explosive when exposed to moisture. Liquid storage areas should be equipped with spill ponds and leak prevention pits to collect any spilled or leaked liquid promptly, thereby preventing environmental pollution. Additionally, protective walls and dikes can be constructed around the warehouse to prevent liquids from spreading to the surrounding ground or water bodies. Furthermore, for storing items that burn and explode when exposed to moisture, a series of measures should be taken to ensure that moisture cannot enter or come into contact with these items. For example, methods such as sealed storage, desiccant absorption, and humidity control can be employed to ensure that items remain dry at all times. Images Images V. Monitoring and Alarm Facilities In areas where flammable gases or toxic gases are generated within a warehouse, alarm devices for such gases should be installed. The installation height of these devices must meet the requirements related to the specific gravity of the flammable (toxic) gases compared to air. It is necessary to entrust qualified agencies to conduct regular inspections of these gas alarm devices. When setting up monitoring and alarm systems, the layout and quantity of these systems should also be taken into consideration. The layout of the facilities should cover all areas within the premises where flammable or toxic gases may be generated, and the number of such facilities should be determined scientifically based on the size of the premises and the likelihood of gas formation. Images Images VI. Fire-fighting facilities Hazardous materials warehouses should be equipped with fire extinguishing equipment that meets standard requirements; fire hydrants, automatic sprinkler systems, and smoke exhaust outlets must not be blocked, and fire access routes must remain unobstructed. After a fire breaks out, it is first necessary to determine the nature of the material on fire, then select a fire extinguishing agent suitable for putting out that type of fire, and carry out the extinguishing process correctly. (1) When storing hazardous chemicals such as flammable and oxidizing gases, facilities such as \"dry powder and sand\" must be available. (2) For storing hazardous chemicals such as flammable and combustible liquids, facilities like “foam, dry powder, and carbon dioxide” must be provided. However, for acids, ethers, and other flammable liquids that are soluble in water, “alcohol-resistant foam” facilities are required. (3) When storing hazardous chemicals such as flammable and combustible solids, facilities such as foam, dry powder, sand, carbon dioxide, or misted water must be available. (4) When storing hazardous chemicals that are prone to spontaneous combustion, it is necessary to have available \"water, dry powder, sand, and carbon dioxide\". (5) When storing hazardous chemicals that burn when in contact with water, it is necessary to have available \"dry powder and dry sand\". (6) When storing oxidizing hazardous chemicals, it is necessary to have \"dry powder, water, and carbon dioxide\" on hand.